A DPP leadership meeting concluded that the less radical version of the proposed resolution and the one with the radical name-changing calls will be both presented to the congress that opens today.

The meeting was called by Premier Chang Chun-hsiung, who is in charge of the congress, in what some media reports described as a last-minute attempt to block the radical version proposed by outgoing DPP Chairman Yu Shyi-kun.

But Cabinet Secretary General Chen Ching-chun said after attending the meeting that no attempt had been made to block Yu’s proposal during the discussion.

DPP Secretary General Lin Chia-long said Chang had stressed the importance of letting the congress reach a consensus on the issue without resorting to a vote.

A vote would force delegates to openly declare their preference, Lin said.

Observers pointed out that such a showdown vote might cause irreparable damage to party unity.

The less radical version was adopted by the DPP Central Executive Committee late last month. It states that “Taiwan should rectify its name and make a new constitution as soon as possible.”

But Yu’s version proposes that the national title be changed to “Taiwan” in a demonstration to the world that it is a sovereign nation.

The DPP is afraid that Yu’s strongly-worded statement may provoke China and scare away voters in the upcoming legislative and presidential elections.

Meanwhile, Vice President Annette Lu said that the differences between opposing camps over the name of the country can be resolved through a constitutional process.

She said whatever name the country may bear, Taiwan’s status as a sovereign state was confirmed when the first popular presidential election took place on March 23, 1996.

“No matter which party you voted for, you were confirming Taiwan’s status as a sovereign independent state with concrete action,” Lu said.

She urged the Kuomintang-led opposition camp and the DPP side to join forces in promoting the country’s goal of becoming a member of the United Nations.

She said both sides should set aside their differences over the name that Taiwan should use to apply for U.N. membership.

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